PGI criticizes plan on religious teaching

PGI criticizes plan on religious teaching

JAKARTA (JP): The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI)
urged Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono to
reconsider the ministry's plan to require Christian schools to
drop their tradition of teaching only Christianity to students.

PGI said the obligation to provide teachers for other
religions was against the spirit of Law No. 2/1989 on Education,
which states that the government will tolerate individual
characters of educational institutions.

"The identity and unique character of private educational
institutions (should be) always recognized so that Christian
educational institutions can continue to be allowed to teach
Christian lessons to the students," the religious organization
said in a statement, submitted directly to the minister on
Wednesday.

PGI chairman Sularso Sopater explained that the organization
opposed the ministry's plan to require Christian schools to
provide teachers and other facilities for students from other
faiths. PGI did not say in the statement when the government
would begin with its plan. The organization also did not speak of
the minister's reaction to the proposal.

"The community has the freedom to organize (educational
institutions) which are in line with their respective
specifications," Sularso said.

The government recognizes Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism,
Protestantism and Catholicism as religions. Government-run
schools are required to provide teachers for the five religions.
In reality, however, many schools just provide teachers for
Muslims and Christians.

Private schools belonging to Protestant and Catholic
foundations traditionally teach just one of the religions to all
students, regardless of their faiths.

Parents and students are obliged to sign a statement allowing
the children to receive Protestant or Catholic lessons.

Many Muslim organizations have complained about the
obligation, while Christian schools say that Islamic schools also
teach only Islam to their students.

Law No. 2, chapter XIII, rules that the government should
provide as wide as possible an opportunity for society to
participate in the organization of national education, but does
not specifically mention religious teachings. The law simply says
that conditions and requirements for the curriculum would be
determined by a separate government regulation.

"The specific character of the education unit (institution)
organized by society will remain respected," the law says.
(05/prb)